British engineers have developed a new prototype device that uses electromagnetic pulses to stop moving cars and other vehicles
E2V’s RF Safe-Stop uses radio frequency pulses to disrupt a vehicle’s electronic systems, causing the engine to shut down. The device could be used by the military to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering restricted areas, or by the police to apprehend suspects attempting to flee. RF Safe-Stop can be fitted into a variety road vehicles, fixed-base installations and boats. There are also reports of blueprint ideas to integrate into a helicopter.
Describing a demonstration of the device, the BBC said, “as the vehicle entered the range of the RF Safe-stop, its dashboard warning lights and dials behaved erratically, the engine stopped and the car rolled gently to a halt. Digital audio and video recording devices in the vehicle were also affected.”
“It’s a small radar transmitter,” said Andy Wood, product manager at E2V, told the BBC. “The RF [radio frequency] is pulsed from the unit just as it would be in radar, it couples into the wiring in the car and that disrupts and confuses the electronics in the car causing the engine to stall.” As long as the engine control unit is kept “confused,” the engine won’t restart.
In a separate interview with The Engineer, Wood explained that the device can also be operated without specialist training.
“So long as he’s got a green light on his display he knows he can push the red button and typically, in one operation, get a five second burst,” he said. “Normally, the effect happens in three seconds. You should be pretty certain that with one shot you’re going stop whatever engine it is you’re trying to stop. Then you repeat as and when—if you see the person in the vehicle is trying to restart it—you just give it another shot and demobilize the vehicle again.”
RF Safe-Stop is considered a safer alternative than the tire deflation devices currently used by some police forces, but is likely ineffective against older vehicles. The device is reportedly driven by a solid state modulator, and includes an interruptible power supply unit for systems used on vehicles. It poses no threat to cardiac device operation, according to the company.
Earlier this year, NATO unveiled a similar electromagnetic pulse gun designed to help stop suicide bombers before they reach their targets.
